Tallinn bans alcohol sales on Sundays in effort to cut drinking numbers

Estonia has passed a law banning the sale of alcohol on Sundays, public broadcasting reports.

Tallinn City government officials passed the law on Wednesday in an effort to cut down on alcohol consumption in the country.

Critics say the new law will drive away tourists from the capital.

The restrictions take Sweden and Norway as role models, where alcohol retail sales are restricted at weekends. The ban will come in to force in Tallinn in March 2015.

The city government plans have been strongly criticized by trade, catering enterprises and accommodation facilities, who estimate it will affect the tourists most and the restriction may result in people hoarding alcohol at home instead.

Plans also include that the minimum general space of a store that can sell strong alcohol has to be at least 150 square meters,

Stores will have to be located less than 50 meters from schools and kindergartens. Alcohol sales would also be completely banned in petrol stations under the new plans.

(Edited by Rayyan Sabet-Parry)